i six this a message to iran? because some people saying striking syria is actually a message to iran. >> i've heard the white house make that argument but, you know, iran is a completely different case in its nuclear ambitions. i don't think a direct parallel between the war in syria and the war in iran -- >> stephen: does it send a message to anybody? >> it sends a message to assad, do you want to use chemical weapons again and risk this kind of aerial and other missile retaliation that will degrade your air force, wipe out your artillery, decapitate your intelligence leaders and whatever the other objectives of the war plan. >> stephen: but not kill assad, right? >> apparently not kill assad. >> stephen: and not take him out of power? >> it is the explicit statement of the president that he's not trying to win the civil war through air power. but that he is trying to make sure that chemical weapons are not used again against the syrian people for the purpose -- >> stephen: what if he just uses them again? >> i